John Anderson recall, Yorba Linda, California (2012)

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An effort to recall John Anderson from his position on the city council of Yorba Linda, California, was launched in May 2012.[1] The recall effort was abandoned in September 2012.[2]

Reasons for recall

The recall effort was initiated due to Anderson's support for steering the city away from a police-services contract with Brea. In April, the city council voted to sign a 5-year deal with the Orange County Sheriff's Department. In the notice of intent to recall, recall supporters wrote, "over the objections of the preponderance of Yorba Linda residents, Anderson orchestrated this controversial decision made at 3:15 a.m...This is but one recent, and reversible, example of Anderson's unacceptable service." The agreement with the Orange County Sheriff's Department will cost the city $9.2 million per year, while the potential deal with Brea would cost the city at least $10.3 million annually.[3]

In response to the recall effort against him, Anderson said, "you don't recall somebody over a vote. Where's the criminal activity? The malfeasance? It's a spiteful mudslinging campaign by a small minority of political opponents."[3]

Path to the ballot

Pat Nelson turned in the notice of intent to recall paperwork. The notice contained over 60 signatures, although only 20 signatures were required to initiate the recall process. The recall language was certified, and recall organizers had 120 days to collect 8,700 signatures.[4]

The recall effort came to an end on September 13 when recall organizers failed to submit sufficient signatures. Recall organizers gathered 7,856 signatures, but 8,668 signatures were necessary to force a recall election.[2]